Messing With People's Lives

Since 1988, three studies, including one by the consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche, have affirmed the value and effectiveness of state employees' working four-day weeks.

Allowing people to put in 40 hours over four days instead of five has led to cost savings and greater productivity, the studies concluded.

Employees who would typically take personal or sick leave for a doctor's appointment can do so on their day off. Agencies have more hours of coverage each day without having to pay overtime. And parents can spend an extra day each week with their young children, rather than entrusting them to others.

Given the benefits of flexible work schedules, why, then, did state Social Services Commissioner Joyce A. Thomas unilaterally suspend the 7- year-old program, which has been used by as many as 1,000 of the department's 2,700 workers?

Because dramatic changes in the state's welfare system require it, and the public expects it, agency officials say. As of Sept. 1, Ms. Thomas wants everyone in the office Monday through Friday so that meetings can be more easily scheduled and phones can be answered.

Although we don't dispute the complexities of Connecticut's new welfare law, it's hard to see why creative management couldn't overcome the minor inconveniences created by an unconventional work week.

Most employees who elect to use it take off Mondays or Fridays. An innovative manager would schedule meetings on the other days of the week. As for coverage of the phones, longer days means employees are in the office longer hours.

More troubling, however, is the way Ms. Thomas has messed with her employees' lives. Agency officials claim that, under an agreement with state labor unions, they have the option of interrupting or eliminating the four-day option. Ms. Thomas has chosen to interrupt it.

But she has refused, despite numerous entreaties, to say for how long. Six months? A year? Five years?

``Given that we're embarking on one of the most ambitious welfare overhauls anywhere, and to a certain extent entering uncharted territory, it wouldn't be prudent to set a date,'' agency spokeswoman Claudette Beaulieu said.

The Connecticut State Employees Association, which represents many of the workers, has filed a formal complaint with the state Labor Relations Board, contending there was not justifiable cause to alter previously agreed-to work schedules. Agency officials obviously disagree.

Union officials have been told the earliest a hearing will be held is January. In the meantime, lives will be disrupted. This is no way to inspire trust and loyalty among workers.